Library: Performing Arts by Credo Reference: Television

Performers

Carol Burnett (1933- )
From The Columbia Encyclopedia
At a time when variety shows were disappearing, her own Carol Burnett Show (1967-79) with its regular group of players performing comedy sketches and musical numbers, proved highly successful and won five Emmy Awards.
Doris Day (1922- ): Topic Page
Singer and actress, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Dick Van Dyke (1925- )
From Chambers Biographical Dictionary
His television series The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66) won him Emmy awards in 1962, 1964 and 1965. His subsequent films include Mary Poppins (1964) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968).
Merv Griffin (1925-2007)
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
US television presenter and businessman. Originally a singer, he appeared on The CBS Morning Show in 1956, then hosted game shows like Keep Talking for ABC. He hosted the Merv Griffin Show (1965–86), then developed the successful game shows Jeopardy in the 1960s and Wheel of Fortune in the 1970s.
Jim Henson (1936 - 1990): Topic Page
Puppeteer, television programme and film-maker. The uplifting entertainment worlds Henson created (Sesame Street, The Muppets) contrast with the feel-good empires of Walt Disney.
Mary Tyler Moore (1936- )
From The Penguin Biographical Dictionary of Women
Best known as a popular TV comedy actress, Mary Tyler Moore starred in her own highly successful TV show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, from 1970 to 1977. She was admitted to America's TV Hall of Fame in 1985.
Vincent Price (1911-1993): Topic Page
US actor. His gift for both Gothic grandiosity and judicious self-parody made him a popular star of horror films.
Oprah Winfrey (1954- ): Topic Page
The Oprah Winfrey show has earned Winfrey 6 Emmy awards for best host as well as 19 other Emmys. Her other awards include having been named one of the 25 most influential people in the world by Time magazine (1996) and earning the Woman of Achievement Award from the National Organization for Women (1986), the highly esteemed Peabody Award (both for her talk show and for her charitable work), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award four years in a row (1989–1992).

Comedians

Lucille Ball (1911-1989): Topic Page
Television comedienne and film actress, born in Celaron, New York, USA. She appeared in many later films and radio shows, but only gained real success in 1951 when she teamed up with her Cuban-born, bandleader husband, Desi Arnaz, to play the zany middle-class couple, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in television’s prototypical situation comedy I Love Lucy.
Jack Benny (1894-1974): Topic Page
Comedian, born in Waukegan, Illinois, USA. He made occasional appearances on television in the early 1950s before settling into The Jack Benny Show (1955–65), where to his famous radio techniques - the pregnant pause and the perfectly timed ‘Well!’ - he added the slow take and the piqued stare.
Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005): Topic Page
Television talk show host, born in Corning, Iowa, USA.
Bill Cosby (1937- ): Topic Page
Comedian, writer, and television producer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Bob Hope (1903-2003): Topic Page
Hope entertained the troops in the field during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a perennial star on radio and television (from 1950) in his own comedy series and specials.
Marx Brothers: Topic Page
Comedy team, all born in New York City, New York, USA. The three most prominent were Chico (b. Leonard) (1886–1961); Harpo (b. Adolph, but known as Arthur) (1888–1964); and Groucho (b. Julius Henry) (1890–1977).

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